Maldives

As a mother of four with grown children whose calendars are never in sync, planning a family vacation has become a precious—and complicated—pursuit. So when I had the rare chance to gather everyone together, I knew the destination had to be extraordinary. The Maldives, long a bucket list dream for us, became our chosen paradise.

✈️ The Journey Begins

We left frigid Chicago just before a snowstorm hit, routing through JFK and Doha before finally arriving in Malé. From there, our seaplane transfer gave us our first real glimpse of the Maldives’ magic—crystal waters, tiny islands, and brilliant reefs from above. We landed at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, nestled in the South Ari Atoll.

🐠 Vilamendhoo: Adventure Beneath the Surface

I chose Vilamendhoo for its world-renowned house reef and easy access to whale shark excursions—musts for my two scuba-certified kids and our collective love for marine life. Staying in overwater bungalows in the adults-only section, we had the reef quite literally at our doorstep.

Every morning began with snorkeling directly from our deck. Imagine being eye-to-eye with stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, and even a curious sea turtle who swam with us solo for 15 enchanting minutes. Days were filled with ocean excursions, sunset dolphin cruises, and long, laughter-filled meals overlooking the water. It was thrilling, grounding, and deeply bonding all at once.

🌴 LUX* South Ari Atoll: A Change of Pace

After a few active days, we switched gears (and resorts) with a short speedboat ride to LUX South Ari Atoll*—still within the same atoll, but offering a more polished, playful luxury experience.

At LUX*, indulgence came with a twist of whimsy. Hidden message-in-a-bottle gifts scattered daily across the island kept things light and fun. Think complimentary prosecco, parasailing vouchers, and spontaneous surprises. The resort itself was expansive yet navigable thanks to an island tram, and the food scene was outstanding—from Middle Eastern to Asian to Italian.

Though the house reef wasn’t accessible from the rooms like at Vilamendhoo, LUX* offered daily reef trips, plus a range of water sports and on-land activities (bocce, tennis, a full gym). It was the perfect follow-up to our more adventure-driven first half.

🌅 Final Thoughts

Traveling such a distance might seem daunting, but every connection, every seaplane, every dolphin-studded sunset was worth it. By pairing two different resorts, we struck the perfect balance of adventure and serenity. And though both properties were fully booked, the experience felt personal, never crowded.

If you're dreaming of the Maldives, my advice is this: know what kind of experience you want—whether it's a diving haven, a luxury escape, or a bit of both. With thoughtful planning, it’s absolutely possible to have it all.

Family vacation of a lifetime? Check.